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This month, following extensive renovations, the historic barn at Saralee’s Vineyard opened as the new home of La Crema – a destination for experiential wine adventures and education. On the estate’s picturesque grounds, visitors are able to enjoy a variety of experiences – from VIP tours, to culinary events, to premier tastings of wines only available at the estate. Whether in the expansive landscape or in one of the private tasting areas in the historic barn, the La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard has something for everyone.

The Experiences

“VIP Experiences” are available to visitors by appointment. A highlight is the Saralee’s Vineyard Tasting Tour, during which a personal concierge will convey guests via golf cart to tour the estate and later enjoy each Saralee’s Vineyard-designated wine that La Crema produces – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé and Gewürztraminer. This curated tour is perfect with La Crema’s picnic lunch (detailed below) presented atop a knoll that provides prime vistas of the picturesque estate. ($65 per guest)

Perfect Picnic Baskets: A neatly assembled picnic basket lunch is available to enjoy on the spacious outdoor decks or throughout the estate grounds. (Price subject to availability)

“North to South Flight” an Educational Experience: A personal wine educator leads guests on a journey from North to South, tasting La Crema’s wines from the Willamette Valley to Sonoma Coast, finishing with the Monterey Peninsula. ($35 per guest)

Saralee’s Vineyard yields some of California’s finest grapes. The cool climate combines with varied terrain and diverse soils to establish a terroir that suits a broad range of varietals, including La Crema’s hallmarks, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Barn’s residency upon a picturesque knoll dates back to 1900. The four-story structure has been modified over the past century to house everything from hops to horses, and was the Kunde family home before transforming into La Crema’s new estate. Its future purposes will also prove quite diverse. San Francisco-based BraytonHughes Design Studios reimagined the Barn’s historic spaces to serve several modern functions: Sonoma County’s premier location for wine education, an intimate kitchen to showcase wine and culinary exploration, and a community hub for families, new wine lovers and familiar friends.

The estate will continue to maintain signature pieces from Richard and Saralee Kunde’s eclectic aesthetic, including their cherished red phone booth, a gift from Richard to Saralee, a totem pole, and the vintage pickup truck that appears to have careened into a creek, never to drive away again.

La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard establishes its own heritage within the famous Russian River Valley. The barn serves as the hub of this landmark, where guests come to learn about cool climate viticulture, taste exceptional cuisine, and gather with friends, family and community. After touring the barn and estate, via a tasting or on a VIP tour, visitors are sure to depart with a bounty of memories and plans to return again very soon.

Those interested in the rich history of the Kundes, Saralee’s Vineyard and Richard’s Grove, can visit the La Crema blog to learn more.

Grand Opening Celebration

On Saturday, September 17 from noon – 4 p.m. La Crema will host an open house celebrating the opening of the estate and allowing guests to explore the historic barn and surrounding vineyard grounds with their own passport to the best of La Crema. The afternoon will include tastings of La Crema’s acclaimed single vineyard wines, an insider’s look into its various growing climates, thoughtful wine and food pairings, and live entertainment. For more information or to RSVP, contact Events@LaCrema.com.